Affordable housing was the top issue identified by those who responded to a survey from the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.

Of those who responded, 57.3 per cent identified affordable housing and 37.5 per cent identified the cost of living as an important issue. In addition, 36.4 per cent identified homelessness as one of the most important issues in the region.

The survey results are included in the 2023 Vital Signs report. The report is the sixth from the community foundation over the past 12 years.

The report outlines trends and statistics for the region and individual communities.

According to the report, the median sale price of a single-family home in the region was $735,000 as of July 2023.

Penticton was close to this figure, with a median price of $727,000. In Osoyoos, the figure was $685,000, in Oliver, it was $610,000, in Keremeos it was $505,000 and in Princeton, it was $389,000.

The community with the highest housing cost was Summerland, where the median price of a single-family home was $790,000.

At the same time, the median total household income in the region is $71,000.

The high cost of housing is also shown in another statistic in the report. Throughout the region, 13.6 per cent of homeowners and 42.1 per cent of renters spent 30 per cent or more of their income on shelter.

害羞草研究所淗ome prices and assessed values continue to rise, making homeownership more difficult for first-time buyers,害羞草研究所� the report stated. 害羞草研究所淗ome ownership is less financially compromising than renting, though: just over one in 10 homeowners spend 30 per cent or more of their income on housing, compared to four in 10 renters.害羞草研究所�

The average monthly cost of shelter in the South Okanagan Similkameen was $1,258 for renters and $1,160 for homeowners. In Penticton, where the average monthly shelter cost was $1,328 and in Summerland, it was $1,364 a month.

In Penticton, the rental vacancy rate was 1.1 per cent in 2021 and 2022. Throughout the Okanagan, the rate is similar. Penticton is the only community in the South Okanagan Similkameen where the rental vacancy rate is measured.

Throughout the region, there are 46,436 private residents. Of these, 5,455 or 11.7 per cent, are not occupied by usual residents. This is higher than the provincial average. Across British Columbia, 7.7 per cent of private residences are not occupied by usual residents.

害羞草研究所淲e believe that Vital Signs is a powerful tool to identify community strengths, challenges, and needs,害羞草研究所� said Aaron McRann, executive director of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen. 害羞草研究所淲e know that it is a catalyst for community conversation.害羞草研究所�